[nkurz]

Although I prefer the IBM TrackPoint -- to the point of buying desktop keyboard versions -- I'm currently using a Macbook Pro with a trackpad. I'd prefer to keep my fingers on the home row, but it's much better than all the alternative touch pads I've tried. Like you, I still miss the hardware buttons. The ergonomics of clicking while dragging just don't work for me.

But I've found a solution that works pretty well for me. I'm using KeyRemap4MacBook to create virtual right and left click buttons. Currently I have Function set to left click, and CapsLock to right click. I tap to click for things like following links, but hold and drag for text selection and the like. Since I usually am dragging with my right hand, using left pinky for "clicking" works quite well.

Highly recommend that you try it if you miss the hardware buttons. In combination with BetterTouchTool, I mostly have things working the way I want, and am almost (but not quite) past being tempted to get out the Dremel tool and retrofit a red nubbin in the middle of the keyboard!